An official website of the United States government
This position functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The Orthotist, Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist, provides the appropriate orthotic and/ or prosthetic devices and treatment. To accomplish this goal, the Orthotist, Prosthetist, or Orthotist/Prosthetist through.
04/02/2025 to 04/24/2025
$73,939 - $96,116 per year
GS 11
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
None
No
No
CBTG-12718678-25-YE
834621600
Open to current and permanent full time federal employees. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 15, 2025, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month.
Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic/prosthetic needs:
Review patient's prescription/referral. Take a comprehensive patient history, including demographic characteristics, family dynamics, previous use of an orthosis/prosthesis, diagnosis, work history, vocational activities, signs and symptoms, medical history (including allergies to materials), reimbursement status, patient expectations and results of diagnostic evaluations. Assist in formulating the treatment plan by performing a diagnosis-specific functional clinical examination, including manual muscle-testing, gait assessment and evaluation of sensory function,
cognitive ability, range of motion, joint stability, skin integrity and compliance. Consult with other health care professionals and caregivers about patient's condition to assist in formulating a treatment plan. Communicate with patient and/or caregiver about the recommended treatment plan, and any optional plans, to involve them in orthotic or prosthetic care; include disclosure of potential
risks/benefits. Verify patient care by documenting history, ongoing care and follow-up, using established record-keeping techniques. Refer patient, if appropriate, to other health care professionals ( e.g., psychologist, therapist, physician) for intervention beyond orthotic/prosthetic scope of practice.
Create a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the
patient:
Evaluate the findings to determine an orthotic/prosthetic recommendation. Formulate treatment goals and expected orthotic/prosthetic outcomes to reduce pain/increase comfort, enhance function and independence, provide stability, prevent deformity, address cosmesis and/or
promote healing. Consult with physician/referral source to modify, if necessary, the original prescription and/or treatment plan. Identify material, design and components to support anticipated outcome. Develop a plan for patient needs, including patient education and follow-up. Document treatment plan using established record-keeping techniques to verify patient care.
Perform the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services, which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesis:
Inform patient, family and/or caregiver of the orthotic/prosthetic procedure, possible risks and time involved in the procedure. Select appropriate material/techniques to implement treatment plan .Provide patient with preparatory care for orthotic/prosthetic treatment (e.g., diagnostic splint, residual limb shrinker). Prepare patient for procedure required to initiate treatment plan ( e.g., take impression, digitize,
delineate, scan) implement procedure (e.g., take impression, digitize, delineate, scan). Select appropriate materials, components and specifications for orthosis/prosthesis based on patient criteria to ensure optimum strength, durability and function as required ( e.g., choose ankle or knee
joints, feet, knee units; choose material of components, lamination lay-ups). Consult technical component/material resources as required. Prepare delineation/impression/template for modification/fabrication (e.g., prepare impression/reverse delineation, seal and fill impression/pour cast, digitize, strip model, download shape to carver or modification software). Modify and prepare patient model for fabrication. Fabricate/assemble prescribed device by assembling selected materials/components to prepare for fitting and/or delivery (e.g., laminate/vacuum-form, remove socket/
orthosis from model, smooth and finish orthosis/prosthesis, contour side bars to model/delineation, smooth and finish sidebars, bench align components to socket, strap orthosis/prosthesis as necessary, perform final assembly of orthosis/prosthesis for patient fitting/delivery). Assess device for structural safety and ensure that manufacturers' guidelines have been followed prior to patient fitting/delivery (e.g., torque values, patient weight limits). Assess/align orthosis/prosthesis for accuracy in sagittal, transverse and coronal planes to provide
maximum function/comfort. Provide gait training /functional-use training. Ensure that materials, design and components are fit/delivered as prescribed.
Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 50922F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Preferred Experience:
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desired. If selected for this position, per VHA Directive 1177, you must possess current BCLS certification as you will provide direct clinical care to patients in this position.
Grade Determinations
Experience:
Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting.
See above for education requirements.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12718678.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/834621600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.